Business fills vacancy left by New Richland Drug
NICE WORK — Jennie Johnson admires one of the hand turkeys painted during a Saturday crafts day at New Richland’s Craft Mall, located in the building formerly occupied by New Richland Drug. (Star Eagle photo by Eli Lutgens)
By ELI LUTGENS
Editor
New Richland residents walking down Broadway may have noticed that the vacant building left by New Richland Drug has recently been occupied. The new renters are calling themselves the New Richland Craft Mall.
The idea started a month ago when the owner of the building came into contact with Sara Jo Vulcan and Jennie Johnson.
“We started talking and one thing led to another,” said Vulcan. “The owner of the building said someone local should open a business and well, we’re local.”
Vulcan went on to say, “All of the area craft fairs from October through December have been cancelled. Our family counts on the money I make from working that to pay for Christmas. Without the craft fairs, like a lot of folks, my family and I are stuck wondering how we're going to get through.”
Sara’s partner in this venture, Johnson, was pushed by Vulcan to pursue this together. “Sara told me we needed to do this,” said Johnson. “She told me, ‘You’ve run a store before and I’ve done crafts. We are perfect for this.’”
Shoppers worried about the recent COVID-19 restrictions in Minnesota do not need to worry about shopping at the Craft Mall. “We plan to stay open,” said Johnson. “There is hand sanitizer throughout the store and we are strict on mask wearing and social distancing. Our motto is, stay safe and have fun.”
The Craft Mall hosts over 30 different local vendors from New Richland, Hartland, and the surrounding communities. “Local people know the building,” said Johnson. “It helps when people are familiar with the location. I think it helps people feel comfortable coming into the store.”
New Richland’s Craft Mall opened at the beginning of the month and is open to the public four days a week. The store plans to be open through the end of the year. After that, according to Vulcan, “We will see where things go.”
Without school to occupy the time of youngsters this holiday season, the Craft Mall is hoping to offer alternatives for typical classroom activities. They are offering letter writing to Santa. This past weekend they offered a painting station for kids to draw hand turkeys for Thanksgiving. This and many more crafts, fun, and family activities await shoppers at New Richland’s Craft Mall.
Hours of operation for the Craft Mall are: Thursdays 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Fridays 5 p.m. - 8 p.m., Saturdays 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., and Sundays noon - 4 p.m. The Craft Mall will be open on Black Friday 10 a.m. until 8 p.m.
For updates and pictures, please visit the New Richland Happenings Facebook page, and for more information or to participate in an event, please contact Sara Jo at 507-327-5837 or Jennie at 507-475-1021.